Roberto Martinez claims Bruno Lage can take Wolves to 'next level' on one condition

Belgium national team manager Roberto Martinez thinks Bruno Lage can take Wolves to "the next level".

The Portuguese has impressed during his first season in Premier League management as his Wolves side look set to compete for a place in European football.

Last season, Wolves finished in 13th position and former manager Nuno Espirito Santo moved on after four years at the club.

His replacement, Lage, arrived in English football as much of an unknown quantity too, and he has certainly surprised outsiders as his Wolves team chase Champions League football.

And former Wigan Athletic and Everton boss Martinez has praised Lage, suggesting he is capable of achieving big things at Molineux.

Martinez said on Amazon Prime: "He is very impressive. When you come into a new club, you have two options.

"You either start from scratch and bring your ideas to the table, or you embrace all of the good work that has gone in the past, and that is what Lage has done at Wolves.

"He has kept with the back five, I think the real strength of this Wolves side is their captain Conor Coady, I think his style of play really suits that back five.

"When you see that structure, they have conceded just 18 goals this season, and when you look at Bruno as a coach, I think working with a back five during his time at Benfica, he had a lot of good, attacking players and that is probably where he is going to be looking at next for Wolves.

"With those players he can take Wolves to the next level."